Laura set for tough Series hurdles

Laura Massaro (right) plays a forehand against Omneya Abdel Kawy (left) during their quarterfinal of the PSA Women's World Championships squash tournament in Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur on April 28, 2016.

When the former queens of squash Laura Massaro of England and Malaysia's Nicol David meet tonight (Wednesday) at 7pm in a second round Group A match of the qualifying phase of the PSA Dubai World Series (women), the 32-year olds will have a lot of scores to settle.
The legendary Nicol, the most successful and dominant female player ever in the history of squash with eight world championship crowns amongst 80 career PSA World Tour titles, and Laura have had some epic battles over many years. 
Laura was calm and poised just after a short practice session at the all-glass court in the run-up to the tourney. During the training round, the Albany Science College, UK product showed no signs of the injuries that have hampered her progress for the past two seasons.
"I feel perfectly match fit for the occasion and unless in prime condition there is no point in having made it to the top eight for the year-ender," the top seed, said.
Egyptian world champ Nour El Sherbini heads the challenge in Group B and being drawn in two separate sections early in the event has come as a the ideal way for Laura to warm up before the expected clash against the second seeded Nour in the final here on Saturday.
"The loss in the final in the worlds against Nour after being up two sets, was difficult to put aside for a while. However, the training and schedules this season have put me back, firing all over again," Laura told Khaleej Times.
"Nour is one of the new generation players with a mature approach irrespective of what the situation is during a match or an event. It will be nice to have a final round gold medal finish against her this time.
"The comeback run to this finals in Dubai has been great with the Euro championship coming immediately after the world championship. The loss in Kuala Lumpur to Nour was quickly forgotten due to the individual and team events in the highly competitive continental championhips and where England did well," Laura continued.
"But this being a best eight event, one should take it one at a time and I have a tough opening round against Amanda (Sobhy) whose is a former world junior champion," Laura added.